Automobile.



No. 763,494. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

, L. LAOOIN.

AUTOMOBILE.

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No. 763,494. BATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

Li LAGOIN. AUTOMOBILE.

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present invention is intended to enable a se- I they form part, the stability of the other part Patented June 28, 1904;

PATENT OFF C V LOUIS LACOIN, or PARIS, FRANCE.

AUTOMOBILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 110. 763,494, dated June 28, 19041 Application filed December 26, 1903. Serial No. 186 ,7 Z3. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS LACOIN, a citizen of the French Republic, residing in Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Connected with Automobiles and the Like, (for whichI have obtained a patent in France, No. 328,448, bearing date January 13, 1903, and in Great Britain, No. 1,854, bearing date January 26, 1903,) of which the following isa specification.

The frame which forms the object of the ries of vehicles varying in form and dimensions to be made up in an economic manner and at the same time to increase the facility and regularity of theuse of these vehicles by rendering possible and practical the attachment of the valuable part of the carriageframework mounted on two of the wheels to the remainder of the vehicle mounted on the twolother wheels and which part comprises the mechanism or the source of power, which is fragile and costly and requires frequent repairs. For this object the frame is divided into two parts, each receiving one of the groups of mechanism or parts hereinbefore specified. One of these parts is joined by means of shafts to a part above the axle of the other section in order to give, so to speak, a direct support to the half-frame of which and the solidity of the attachment being assured by a'number of bolts, nuts, keys, or

other suitable device appropriate for each case, as may be seen in the two examples hereinbefore explained.

In order that the object of this invention may be fully understood, it will now bedescribed as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the rear part of this improved frame made of sheet metal bent round; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation of the fore part of same; Fig. 3, a plan view of half of the rear part, and Fig. 4 a similar View of the front portion of the same frame. Fig. 5 is an elevation, and Fig. 6 a plan view, of a tubular frame arranged under the same conditions.

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevations of the two parts, not connected together, of the said tubular frame, showing the projecting shafts, which are secured to the one of these two parts.

In the example of the frame shown in the drawings the fore part, Figs. 2 and 4, is composed of a framework of sheet metal bent round and'formed by two longitudinal bars 1 and three cross-bars 2 3 4. These longitudinal bars 1 are connected to the wheels by means of springs 5 and an axle 6 in the ordinary manner and also support'the motor and I the driving-gear by means of suitable attachments, which are not here shown.

The rear part (shownin Figs. 1 and 3) is also formed of a framework of'bent sheet metal formed by means of two longitudinal bars 7 a little wider apart than the bars 1, and three cross-pieces 8 9 10 of the fore part, the

of projecting shafts 11. As was the case with the fore part, the springs 12, axle 13, and wheels are connected to the framework in the ordinary manner.

The attachment of the parts is insured: First. By two supports 14 or brackets and two gudgeons 15, attached on each side of the longitudinal bars 7 being continued by means front frame almost above the axle, Figs. 2 and plates 18 rest on the projecting shafts 11.

In order to connect the two parts one with another, it is sufiicient to keep the rear part of the fore-carriage raised, while the two shafts are slipped under the plates 18 until the gudgeons 15 have been fitted in the eyelets 16 on the projecting shafts. The plates 18 are then allowed toreston the shafts, the bars or bolts 19 are secured, and the nuts of the gudgeons 15 are tightened. The attachment thus constituted is rigid and a frame is obtained which entirely resembles other frames. The front part replaces the habitual false frames. The motor, the gearing, the speed-changing gear, the water and spirit reservoirs, the carbureter, the radiator, the lighting device, the steeringgear, with its handles, levers, and pedals, &c.. are placed there, and finally the conductors seat is also placed there. The rear part, which may be more or less elongated, according to the length of the framework, permanently carries the framework, the gearings connected with the rear axle having a multiplying gear suitable for each carframe, so that with the same motor mechanism there may be obtained different speeds,

according as an omnibus, for instance, or a light vehicle is attached thereto.

73.05am?"ficmwwor .'.The tubular framework shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is formed of tubes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 for the front part and of tubes 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 for the rear part.

The shafts are formed of two tubes 21 22 23 24, brazed onto the cross-pieces 32 and 33 and simply fitting into the two longitudinal bars 21 22 23 24 of'the front part. The attachment is completed by two large grip-screws or headnuts 34, only one of which is shown in elevation, which firmly secure the two parts 22 to 32 and 24 to 33. In plan view they are concealed.

In case the cross-bars 26 and 29 of the fore and back parts are in the same plane a right and left threaded screw 35, Fig. 6, or similar device will suffice to hold the same together between the bars 26 and 29 instead of the two screws or nuts 34. This form of frame is constructed for smaller weights than the foregoing; but the mechanisms are arranged in the same manner.

Whatever may be the form adopted the judicious use of this frame produces the following advantages: For the builder it is only necessary to make one type of mechanism and framework, the rear part to which the modifications alone apply, coming almost entirely under what is called coach-building. For the purchaser it enables him to have onlyra single motor and yet several very different vehicles, such as a Victoria for good weather,a closed carriage for the winter, a small omnibus, a landau, a dog-cart, or a goods-wagon, all the said vehicles having suitable speeds. For carriage purposes it is possible to have more vehicles than motors, some of the vehicles being loaded and others discharged, while another vehicle is performing the journey by means of the single motor, cost of depreciation and capital employed being thus reduced to a minimum, or, vice versa, for an omnibus business it is possible to have achange of motors, one being ready to replace any one of the others, and thus insure a regularity of the service without requiring to incur the expense of an entire omnibus.

Another advantage of the system is that at any given moment the rear carriage may be dispensed with and the motor employed, as is done with a portable engine, for operating any suitable engine, such as a pump, beater, or dynamo for lighting purposes or the like.

This framework may 'be employed for all kinds of auto-cars whether operated by steam, petroleum, or electricity. In the latter case it may be of advantage to reverse the framework and place the shafts on the fore carriage, the accumulators being. for instance, carried on the rear carriage located between the shafts. The motor-wheels and the steeringwheels may also be distributed in any suitable manner on the two axles. A similar pair may also be both motor and steering wheels. The forms, dimensions, proportions, and accessory parts may be varied, and such material as I may deem suitable may be employed in their construction without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that whatI claim is 1. A stiff framework for automobiles; the said framework being adapted to be easily dismountable and including for this purpose two parts which are respectively provided with one axletree and which support respectively the motor parts and the carriage-body; the two said parts being further adapted to be connected together by any suitable means providing an easily-releasable device for attachment, in order to constitute, by uniting of the said two parts, a true stiff framework lying upon two axletrees, substantially as described.

2. In a stiff and dismountable framework for automobiles; a first part including a frame provided with an axletree 6; a second part including a frame provided with an axletree 13; two thills 11 fixed on the said second part and adapted to be connected with the first part at the neighborhood of the axletree 6, substantially as described.

3. In a stiff and dismountable framework for automobiles; a first part including a frame provided with an axletree 6; a second part including a frame provided with an axletree 13; two thills 11 fixed on the said second part and adapted to be connected with the first part at the neighborhood of the axletree 6; and bearing-surfaces fixed on the said two parts, in order to insure the lying of the framework upon the two axletrees 6 and 13 substantially as described.

4. In a stiff and dismountable framework for automobiles; a first frame portion including metallic tubes 21 22 23 24 and provided with an axletree 6; a second frame portion ineluding metallic tubes and provided with an the tubes 21 22, 23 24, substantially as deaxletree 13; two thills 11 fixed on the said scribed. I second portion, and adapted to engage into In witness whereof I have hereunto set my the tubes 21 22, 23 24 of the first portion, in hand in the presence of two witnesses.

5 order to insure the lying of the second por- LOUIS LACOIN.

7 tion simultaneously upon the two axletrees 6 Witnesses:

and 13 independently of all securing means; HANSON 0'. 00x12, and fastening means to hold the thills 11 in JULEs FAYOLTET. 

